Statement from Catholic University President Regarding Pope's Resignation

John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America, issued this statement today regarding the announcement about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation.

“The Catholic University of America is surprised and saddened to learn that Pope Benedict XVI will resign the office of the papacy effective February 28, 2013. Throughout his career, Benedict XVI has conferred upon the church the great gift of his theological wisdom, in a special way deepening our understanding of Catholic education and the role of the Catholic educator. He has been a public figure of considerable importance, reminding the world of the inviolable dignity of the human person, and the call of the Gospel to charity. Above all, he has been a faithful, charitable, and inspired leader of the church, a true lover of Jesus Christ. The Catholic University of America will always treasure in a personal way his visit to our campus on April 17, 2008, to address Catholic educators from around the United States. We will continue to reflect with gratitude on his papacy which has been a gift to The Catholic University of America, to the Church, and to the world.”